Resources Connection buys Ernst & Young search practice

However the head of the Ernst & Young practice, Susan Milford, is not joining Resources under the deal. A spokesperson for Ernst & Young said she was leaving to set up her own business.

Milford's colleagues Jan Kirkpatrick and Neil Cameron will be joining Resources, together with Collette Harrison, who handles interim management roles.

Bob Leach, joint managing director of Resources, declined to put a value on the sale. He said he believed the hiring cycle was now &quotat its lower end&quot and that prospects from now on were good.

The Ernst & Young practice operates in a number of sectors including investment banks and insurance firms. Leach said it had seven consultants and a total staff of about 11.

Chris Beer, the other joint managing director of Resources, was head of the UK Ernst & Young practice until last year. Under the deal, Ernst & Young will &quotrefer opportunities&quot to Resources for a five-year period.

The sale has been agreed in principle but not finalised. Resources Connection UK is a subsidiary of the US-based firm Resources Connection.